Craney has an eye on the play-offs
8:30am Saturday 28th January 2012 in Football
IAN Craney believes moving into the play-off places this afternoon would be the perfect way to start life after John Coleman as he bids to help Leam Richardson get the job as Accrington Stanley boss.
Stanley currently sit 10th in League Two and they know victory over eighth-placed Gillingham at the Crown Ground today will put them into the top seven for one day at least – with fellow play-off challengers Burton and Oxford in action against each other tomorrow.
And Craney is confident that opportunity has really focused minds in a turbulent week that saw Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell depart for Rochdale, days after captain Andy Procter had been sold to Preston.
Stanley have appointed Richardson, a senior member of the playing squad, as caretaker manager with Bryan Hughes and head of youth Phil Hackney providing assistance.
“If we win against Gillingham we’re guaranteed to be in the play-offs,” said the midfielder.
“If that’s not an incentive on its own I don’t know what is.
“John and Jimmy won’t be forgotten.
“Their legacy is going to go on forever because if it wasn’t for them this club wouldn’t be in the Football League.
“But we’ve got to shape Leam’s destiny now.”
Richardson joined Stanley in 2005 and, even though injuries have restricted his appearances in recent years, he remains popular with fans and team-mates alike.
Asked if he was in favour of the former Blackburn Rovers defender being given the job, Craney said: “Hand on heart I think that’s what the lads want.
“At the end of the day it’s football and you need results, but if we can get them for Leam hopefully he can stake a claim for the job permanently.
“As a group of players we are so desperate to do well for Leam and give him a great chance to try to get the job, because every player respects him.
“I just want the fans to be the same because if everyone pulls together in the right direction it’s only going to be more beneficial to the club.
“The fans can relate to Leam because they probably all know him, just like they knew John and Jimmy.
“That’s why I think it’s a good appointment.
“If they would have brought someone else in who didn’t know why we’ve done well this season it could rock the boat a little bit.
“You’ve got to know Accrington as a football club to take over it. You’ve got to have the beliefs of John and Jimmy because if you carry them on and add your own things to it you can’t go wrong.
“The senior pros have got together and said we really want this to work.”
